Allium cyathophorum is a Chinese (Chinese: 杯花韭, bei hua jiu) species of flowering plant in the onion genus Allium of the family Amaryllidaceae.[1] It grows at elevations from 2,700 metres (8,900 ft) up to 4,600 metres (15,100 ft).[2]

Description

This bulbous herbaceous perennial has thick roots but thin, fibrous bulbs. The scapes are usually 2-angled, up to 15 cm (5.9 in) tall. The leaves are flat, narrowly linear, usually shorter than the scapes. The umbels are hemispheric (half spheres) with purple flowers.[2][3]

Taxonomy

Allium cyathophorum is found in the third evolutionary line of the genus Allium. It is a member of the subgenus Cyathophora and is the type species for that subgenus.

Varieties

Two infraspecific varieties are recognized:[2]

William Stearn originally named Allium farreri in 1930 after Reginald Farrer, but in 1950 realised it was a variety of Allium cyathophorum, and so renamed it.

References

  1. ^ WCLSPF 2015, A. cyathophorum
  2. ^ a b c Flora of China v 24 p 176 杯花韭 bei hua jiu Allium cyathophorum
  3. ^ Bureau, Louis Édouard, & Franchet, Adrien René. 1891. Journal de Botanique (Morot) 5(10): 154–155.
  4. ^ WCLSPF 2015, var. cyathophorum
  5. ^ WCLSPF 2015, var. farreri
  6. ^ Stearn 1930.
  7. ^ Stearn 1955a.

Bibliography